#Grandmacore Icon @BrunchwithBabs Unveils Her Must Haves from the New Knit & Sew Shop at Michaels

The internet's favorite Grandma weighs in on the revival of "grandma" hobbies and how Michaels is here for the exploding trend

Michaels is continuing to fuel the joy of creativity and celebration by partnering with the internet's favorite grandma, Barbara Costello, better known as @BrunchwithBabs as the #Grandmacore trend continues to grow. Babs is unveiling her top curated product picks from the new Knit & Sew Shop at Michaels, along with her time-tested tips for getting started, to help a new generation of crafters embrace the joy of mindful needle crafting hobbies this season.

According to the 2025 Michaels Creativity Trend Report, "grandma" hobbies are more than a passing fad - they're a cultural movement. As revealed in the report, these repetitive, hands-on activities are categorized as "Emotional Support Crafts," one of the biggest creative trends of the year, with 97% of customers reporting that creative projects improve their mental health.

"There is a true magic in slowing down and making something with your own two hands; it's a timeless ritual that helps us reconnect," said Barbara Costello. "It's no surprise these beautiful crafts are having a moment. They offer a much-needed mental break and a gentle way to ditch the digital noise. Michaels' new Knit & Sew Shop makes it easy and convenient for a new generation to find their passion, and I couldn't be more excited to see this beautiful handiwork back in the spotlight."

"We are thrilled to partner with Babs to spotlight the joy of mindful crafting," said Stacey Shively, Chief Merchandising Officer at Michaels. "Our new Knit & Sew Shop, which now makes Michaels the largest specialty fabric retailer in North America, was designed to meet this growing demand for mindful, hands-on activities, offering all the essentials our customers need to unplug, connect, and create. Babs' stamp of approval helps us show that these timeless hobbies are officially back - and cooler than ever."

@BrunchWithBabs' Guide to #Grandmacore:

Yarn: Picking yarn comes down to two simple things: the fiber (what it's made of) and the weight (how thick it is). For beginners, stick with a medium weight and then choose the fiber based on the project - acrylic, wool, and cotton are great to start with.

• Caron® Simply Soft® Solid Yarn: It's affordable, machine washable, and comes in every color imaginable. It's also great for beginners and big projects.
• Loops & Threads' Classic Cotton™: This classic cotton yarn is lightweight, breathable, and holds its shape. It's a plant fiber, so it's cool for summer, and it's perfect for knitting dish cloths and potholders, because it's super absorbent.
• Lion Brand® Wool-Ease® Roving Origins Yarn: Wool is elastic, meaning it has some bounce, which is wonderful for shaping garments and hiding little beginner mistakes. It's perfect for making warm winter hats, and socks!

Sewing + Quilting: Sewing requires good foundations and if you're serious about your #Grandmacore journey, you need a dependable partner, and that's a quality sewing machine. Just as important are your materials: a strong, reliable all-purpose thread is essential, and you can't beat 100% cotton fabric for quilting and home décor projects.

• Gütermann 26 Spool Sew-All Box: This sew-all box has all the essential colors needed in one place, so you have a high-quality foundation for any project ready to go, without having to run to the store every time.
• SINGER® Multicolored Polka Dot Cotton Fabric: Nothing says nostalgic like polka dots! This cheerful cotton print is soft, durable, and wonderful for adding a pop of color to any project or space.
• Brother XM2701 27-Stitck Sewing Machine: These machines are accessible for beginners but powerful enough for bigger projects. This one has great features-like 27 built-in stitches and an automatic needle threader-without being overwhelming. It's affordable, super reliable, and makes learning to sew a breeze!
• Robert Kaufman Vintage Quilt Fabric: Whether creating something like a cute apron, a set of handmade placemats, or even designing clothes - fabric allows you to fully engage in the traditional "granny hobbies." This high-quality cotton is great for quilts because it gives that authentic, heirloom feel.

Needle Crafting Kits: Learning a new skill can feel overwhelming, so Michaels' needle crafting kits can be the perfect way to test the waters, learn the basics, and enjoy the creative process. And with the new Knit & Sew Shop, Michaels added over 50 new needle crafting kits, so there are tons of adorable designs and techniques to choose from.

• 6" Pasta Sampler Stamped Design Embroidery Kit with Hoop: The sampler patterns let you learn a bunch of different stitches on one fun project - and it's just adorable, who doesn't love pasta?
• 6" Dog with Martini Punch Needle Kit with Hoop: This kit is great for beginners because punch needling is a technique that offers "instant gratification" since it's fast, forgiving, and you get a beautiful, rug-like texture quickly. Mistakes are easy to fix-just pull the yarn out!

For more information and inspiration, head to your nearest Michaels store or visit The Knit & Sew Shop online at Michaels.com.